Adjustable slitter for metal strip



Oct. 30, 1951 HERMAN 2,573,332

ADJUSTABLE SLITTER FOR METAL STRIP Filed April 13, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET l zzvmvron. Mr/m/v L bwMA/v BY Arra/PNEY Oct. 30, 1951 N. L. HERMAN ADJUSTABLE SLITTER FOR METAL STRIP Filed April 13, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 l All I INVENTOR. V Mr/M/v L A ewMA/v Ma gi Patented Oct. 30, 1951 ADJUSTABLE SLITTER FOR METAL STRIP Nathan L. Herman, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to Poe Machine and Engineering Company, Inc.,

New Wilmington, Pa.

Application April 13, 1949, Serial No. 87,195

6 Claims. (Cl. 164-40) I This invention relates to adjustable slitters for metal strip, especially to slitters which are characterized by their rapidity of change of size of strip metal being produced by the device.

At the presenttime a tremendous amount of metal produced for commercial or industrial consumption, is finished by the metal manufacturer in the form of continuous strips which have, usually, appreciably greater width than is required by the fabricator of such strip metal. Also, the metal strip frequently is produced in such wide sheets as to be dimcult to handle even if it would be desirable to use such wide material in a fabrication operation. Thus it frequently is necessary to slit the metal strip longitudinally into narrower strips of desired width and even or regular edges. Of course, the metal strip desired by different manufacturers is of widely varying width whereby it is necessary to adjust the slitters to produce a desired width metal for a given fabricator. Usually the amount of metal strip required by a given fabricator is such that the metal producer frequently has to change or adjust the setting of his slitterdevice since one order would be completed and the device would have to be adjusted for the new width of material desired. Since the metal strip may be run through a slitter device at a relatively high rate of speed, such as above a thousand feet per minute, it will be seen that quite long pieces of metal strip can be processed in short times and this contributes to the fact that the slitter device must be adjusted or re-set at relatively frequent intervals. I

Heretofore, substantially all slitter devices available to the trade have been relatively complicated in construction. It is then a somewhat diflicult task to alter the setting of the slitter. Usually it has been necessary to remove portions of a positioning housing in which arbors or shafts carrying the actual slitter discs .are carried, then the arrangement or position of the slitter discs on their mounting arbors must be re-set after which the arbor, if removed from the machine, would be re-positioned thereon and the housing would be secured therearound to position the slitter for operative action. These re-setting operations have been so complicated, in fact, that in many instances a slitter would not be in operation over approximately twenty-five percent of the time. The remaining time would be utilized primarily in the re-setting of the slitter disc whereby the machine would only be operating at approximately one quarter of its theoretical actual capacity.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved slitter machine which overcomes the foregoing and other disadvantages of previous types of machines of this kind, and which is characterized by the ease and rapidity of change of the width of the slit metal strip provided thereby.

A further object of the invention is to reduce the down or re-setting time of a slitter machine by the provision of a plurality of sets of interi0 changeable removable arbors on which the cuting discs are positioned.

A further object of the invention is to provide a slitter device which has a plurality of pairs of holdin shafts provided therein for the positioning of slitter arbors in pre-determined longi- 20 Yet another object "of the invention is to provide relatively inexpensive but quickly changeable slitter means for severing metal strip.

The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will be made more apparent as the specification proceeds.

Attention is now directed to the accompanying drawings which show that one presently preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevation, partially in vertical section, of a slitter device constructed in accordance with this invention, and;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Generally speaking, the present invention relates to a slitter device wherein a pair of housing or equivalent means are provided for positioningtwo pairs of shafts, or supports in aligned but 40 spaced relation and with the shafts of each pair for cooperation with similar means carried on the other arbor whereby the desired slitting action can be obtained on metal strip fed between the arbors. The end portions of the stub shafts and arbors are usually axially overlapped and are complementary formed of irregular shape, being secured together by removable means to position the arbors between the shafts.

' For a complete understanding of the present invention, reference should be had to the details of the structure shown in the drawings and wherein l indicates broadly the slitter device of housings.

other shafts I and 8 are positioned in the other housing 4. These shafts 1 and 8 may extend through the housing 4 for engagement with suitable drive means (not shown) whereby the shafts I and 8 can be driven at any suitable speed. Conventional ball bearing means 9 are shown positioning the shafts and I in their respective housings. Also, usually thrust bearings III are carried by each of the shafts 5 and I intermediate the edge portions of the housings and shoulders I l and I2 that are formed on the shaft 5 and the shaft 1 respectively. The shafts B and 8 are positioned in a manner similar to shafts 5 and I but with these second pair of shafts being journalled in cages I3 and I4, respectively, that are received within the housings 3 and 4 in vertically extending slots I5 and I5 formed therein to permit controlled vertical movement of the cages l3 and I4 in the housings. Conventional means, to be described hereinafter, are provided to regulate the vertical positioning of the cages I3 and I4 in their mounting However, the cages are held in the housings and retained therein for only sliding movement therein in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the lower arbor 22.

As an important feature of the present invention, each of the shafts 5 through 8 are provided with extensions, or offset or stepped end portions at the adjacent ends thereof. Thus the shafts 5 and I, as best seen in Fig. 1, have axially offset ends I! and I8 respectively, provided therefore with the outer surface of one portion of such end being of semi-cylindrical contour whereas the opposite surfaces thereof are provided with flat bottomed recesses 9 and 20, respectively, formed therein. The construction of the shafts 6 and 8 is the same as that of the shafts 5 and 'I and will hereinafter be referred to by the same numerals as those used to identify the portions of shafts 5 and I.

The operative portion of the slitter is completed by means of a pair of arbors, or shafts 2| and' 22 which carry cooperating slitter discs 23 and 24 at longitudinally spaced portions thereof. The arbors may be of any desired construction and have cutter discs removably or fixedly secured thereto. The arbors must be strong enough to retain the close tolerances required in the cooperating cutting edges.

Another salient feature of the present invention is that the arbors 2| and 22 are provided with end portions 25 which have a pair of parallel flat surfaced sides or surfaces I25 formed thereon. These flat ends 25 and surfaces I25 are shaped complementary to the recesses I9 and provided in the shafts used to position the arbors 2| and 22. Each of the arbors 2| and 22 is locked in removable engagement with the recesses I9 and 20 by means of pairs of cap plates 26 and 21, respectively, which are removably secured to the shaft ends I1 and I8 by means of cap screws 28 or other equivalent conventional means. It should benoted that the inner surfaces of the cap plates 26 and 21 are provided with recesses 29 that are similar in shape to the recesses l9 and 20 and are adapted to engage with the upper or exposed portions of the ends of the arbors 2| and 22. Due to the complementary surfaces being provided on the axially overlapped end portions of the arbors and their positioning shafts, it is possible to obtain a simple but direct and positive engagement between the arbors and their positioning means. Thus rotational force applied to any drive shaft of the slltter apparatus of the invention will be effectively transmitted to and through the arbors.

Itwill be appreciated that in some instances other shapes of complementary surfaces may be provided on the arbor ends and the end portions of the shafts used to mount same. Also, it is within the concept of the present invention to merely abut the end of one of the positioning shafts with one end of each arbor in aligned association whereby some type of a tie sleeve could be secured to and between the aligned members for securing them together. It may be desirable to secure the arbors to their positioning shafts directly by use of cap screws, bolts or the like. of course, other types of cap plates may be used in place of those disclosed herein.

It will be noted that each of the arbors 2| and 22 have a flange 30 and 3|, respectively, formed thereon adjacent one end of such arbors. These end flanges 30 and 3| have removable slitter discs 23 and 24 and spacers 31 associated with the arbors and abutted against each other and the end flanges to mount the spacers and slitter discs on the arbors.

In order to align the arbors 2| and 22 longitudinally properly with relation to each other, the arbors 2| and 22 each have a rib 33 usually formed thereon adjacent the end flanges 30 and 3| intermediate same and the adjacent end of the arbor. Fig. 1 shows that the ribs 33 have a tapered sur-' face 34 formed thereon and these ribs 33 are adapted to be seated into recesses 35, that are formed in the shafts I and 8, and are formed complementary in shape to the ribs 33. These means 35 are formed in the axially directed exposed surfaces formed by the steps in the positioning shafts. Continuations of the recesses 35 are formed in the inner surfaces of the cap plates 26 and 21 at 36 whereby the arbors can be positioned in a predetermined exact longitudinal relationship to the housing 4 and the shafts I and 8 positioned therein. Thus by arranging the slitter discs in predetermined positions on the arbors in relation to the end flanges 30 and 3|, it is possible to have the slitter discs in exact co-operating relationship to form cut strips of the exact size desired.

In some instances it may be desirable to use other types of means for aligning the arbors with relation to their positioning shafts but any type of co-operating means may be formed on these two members for giving them exact positioning and usually locking engagement.

It will be realized that each of the arbors 2| and 22 is formed as a unit and is adapted to carry a plurality of slitter discs and spacers thereon which are in fixed and positive engagement therewith. Spacers 31 are shown positioned on the arbor 2| at the ends thereof with one end spacer being abutted up against the end flange 30 whereas the other spacers abut against slitter discs or spacers positioned on the arbor. The ends-of both arbors 2| and 22 remote from the end flanges 30 and 3| are threaded for receipt of lock nuts 38 thereon. These 1ock nuts 38 press the compiled slitter discs and spacers carried on the arbors together in an axial or longitudinal direction and form a tight compact assembly thereof. Hence upon removal of the cap screws assembly can be duly moved as a unit. Thus each slitter device of the invention is provided with at least a plurality of such arbors similar to the arbors 2| and 22 whereby a new pair or set of arbors can be inserted into the machine promptly upon the stopping of same and the removal of the two arbors currently positioned therein. Inasmuch as the ends of the stub shafts which engage.

predetermined relation, the arbors can be mounted in a desired vertical relationship. By the use .of longitudinal alignment or positioning means, such as the rib and groove shown, the arbors can be placed at predetermined longitudinal positions with relation to each other whereby cutting engagement between associated slitter discs is assured, as is the provision of a desired width slit or cut strip.

To move the upper arbor 2| with relation to the lower arbor 22 as the cutter or slitter discs wear away, a positioning cap screw 39 is secured to the upper portion of each of the cages I3 and I4 and extends vertically upwardly therefrom. The cap screws 39 are received in and are in threaded engagement with tapped positioning sleeves 40 which carry bearing sleeves 4| on their peripheries. Lock nuts 42 are in threaded engagement with one portion of the sleeve 40 and engage with an end of the bushing sleeves 4| and individually force them against a lower flange 43 formed on each of the mounting sleeves 40. The mounting sleeves 40 carry worm gears 44 at their upper ends and which are suitably secured thereto. These worm gears 44 are individually engaged by worms 45 that are carried at opposite ends of a tie shaft 46 that is journalled in the upper portions of the housings 3 and 4 and which has a control handle 41 secured thereto at one end thereof. Thus rotation of the handle 41 will rotate the tie shaft 46 and cause the two worms 45 to move the worm gears 44 and the associated mounting sleeves 40 at any desired time whereby the vertical positioning of the cages |3- tion has been disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that modification of this particular embodiment of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the inven- 'tion as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a metal slitter, a pair of aligned but spaced stub shafts, means for journaling said stub shafts in fixed positions, the adjacent ends of said stub shafts having longitudinally stepped end. portions with non-circular axially extending recesses provided therein, an arbor having end sections complementary to the recesses in said stub shafts and snugly engaging same, interlocking means on one arbor end and its associated stub shaft to prevent relative axial movement therebetween, substantially semi-circular cap means rigidly but removably engaged with each of said stub shafts at the stepped portion thereof and being complementary thereto and bearing on said arbor to aid in securing said arbor thereto, and cutter means on said arbor and accurately located axially of same with relation to said interlocking means.

2. In a metal slitter, a pair of aligned but spaced stub shafts, means for joumaling said stub shafts in fixed positions, the adjacent ends of said stub shafts having longitudinally stepped end portions with non-circular axially extending recesses provided therein, an arbor having end sections complementary to the recesses in said stub shafts and snugly engaging same, interlocking means on one arbor end and its associated stub shaft to prevent relative axial movement therebetween, means rigidly but removably engaged with each of said stub shafts at the stepped portion thereof and bearing on said arbor to aid in securing said arbor thereto, and transversely directed cutter means on said arbor and accurately located axially of same with relation to said interlocking means.

and I4 and hence the positions of the supports for the upper arbor 2| may be uniformly regulated to retain them in horizontal alignment. Lock nuts 48 retain the gears 44 on the sleeves 40 by engaging the screws 39 at the ends of the sleeves 40.

It will be noted that the arbors 2| and 22 are secured against movement in an axial direction. In some instances it may be possible to provide only one removable arbor and have the other arbor be permanently positioned. Such perma- 3. A slitter as in claim 2 wherein a pair of arbors are provided and are similarly positioned in parallel relation, and where the interlocking means on said different arbors are accurately located with relation to each other.

4. In a metal slitter, a pair of slitter arbors. a pair of aligned but spaced stub shafts for each said slitter arbor, means for joumaling said stub shafts in fixed positions, said arbors each having end sections complementary to non-circular recesses provided in longitudinally stepped end nent arbor could have a plurality of slitters positioned thereon at conventional width spaced portions thereof, or it may be of cylindrical shape, or be formed from special material so that only one set of slitter discs would be required.

In view of the foregoing advantages of the present machine and particularly due to the ease and speed of changing one set of slitting arbors for another, it will be seen that the slitter device of the invention can be used for a very great or at least a major percent of the time and that the down time of the slitter device can be held to a minimum. Only one extra set of arbors is required to obtain the aforesaid advantage. Hence the objects of the invention are achieved and an adjustable, eflicient slitter is provided.

While one complete embodiment of the invenportions of said stub shafts and snugly engaging same, interlocking means on one end of each of said arbors and its associated stub shaft to prevent relative axial movement therebetween, said arbors being positioned in parallel relation, said interlocking means on the different said arbors being accurately located with relation to each other, means rigidly but removably engaged with said stub shafts and said arbors to secure said arbors to said stub shafts, and disc cutter means on each of said arbors and accurately located axially of same with relation to the said interlocking means on the said arbor carrying same to provide cooperating cutter means in the slitter.

5. In a metal slitter, a pair of slitter arbors, a

pair of aligned but spaced stub shafts for each one end of each of aid arbors and its associated stub shaft to prevent relative axial movement therebetween, said arbors being positioned in parallel relation, said interlocking means on the different .said arbors being accurately located axially of the slitter with relation to each other, means rigidly but removably engaged with each of said stub shafts and bearing on said arbor to secure said arbor thereto, and a disc cutter means on each of said arbors and accurately located axially of same with relation to the said interlocking means on the said arbor carrying same to provide cooperating cutter means in the slitter.

6. In a metal slitter, a slitter arbor, a pair of aligned but spaced stub shafts for said slitter arbor with one stub shaft being engaged with one end 01 said arbor and the other stub shaft being engaged with the other end of said arbor, means for journaling said stub shafts in fixed positions and for retaining them against axial movement, said arbor having longitudinally stepped end sections complementary to longitudinally stepped end portions of said stub shafts and snugly but removably engaging same for rotation therewith,

interlocking means on one end of said arbor and its associated stub shaft to prevent relative axial movement between said arbor and said stub shafts, said interlocking means being accurately 8 located axially of the slitter with relation to the said one stub shaft with which it is associated. means rigidly but removabiy engaged with said stub shafts and said arbor to secure said, arbor thereto, and a disc cutter means on said arbor and accurately located axially 01' same with relation to said interlocking means to provide accurately located easily removable cutter means in the slitter.

NATHAN L. HERMAN.

A REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 878,533 Johnstone Feb. 11, 1908 1,320,983 Brenckle Nov. 4, 1919 1,619,207 Jones Mar. 1, 1927 2,048,684 Carr July 28, 1936 2,181,735 Moore Nov. 28, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 116,374 Great Britain June 13, 1918 135,527 Great Britain Dec. 4, 1919 452,421 Germany May 2, 1925 

